Hidden Magnolias

When we moved in this house, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. We now have four fireplaces instead of one. Originally designed for burning coal, our fireplaces are small openings in a large hearth. This is the fireplace in our bedroom.  Late Victorian, Edwardian, and Arts and Crafts houses usually had tiled hearths The screens were often metal plaques with front grates that covered the entire space. Our bathroom has a fireplace as well. Yes, I know that can be unusual, but the previous owner sacrificed a downstairs bedroom to provide a large bath on the main level. Both fireplaces have the soft, muted pink tiles favored by the Edwardians. Very pretty and very simple. Towards the end of the 19th century, people began to tire of the excess ornamentation, and shifted away from the darkness of the Victorian interior. Edwardian colors were fresh and light, with an informal feel....

Even though Karen Blixen ( Isak Dinesen )  was not British , the movie Out of Africa , caught my attention to a style of decorating commonly called British Colonial. I fell in love and am still in love with that style. Karen Blixen Courtesy of Keith Miller At its largest, the British Empire covered approximately one-quarter of the world.  It truly was the empire on which the sun never set.   As British subjects were sent around the world to the colonies to govern, do business, and protect the home country’s interests, they brought with them the traditional decor from home that they intermingled with local materials and styles to adapt them to suit the needs of the climate.  They produced a unique and beautiful blended colonial style.   Pinterest Pinterest Pinterest One of my favorite furniture pieces in this style is the cane inset chair or chaise. These are totally drool-worthy. Pintere...

If you have ever been to Savannah, you will understand. If you have never been to Savannah, you must go. If you live in Savannah, I envy you. Savannah is walking town, packed full of gorgeous buildings and luscious green squares. While there is a very relaxed and casual atmosphere about the whole place, it also whispers of ghosts, voodoo, mysteries and tragedies that all the opulence and wealth cannot cover up. Gracious, architecturally interesting houses line the 22 squares. Everywhere you look is something beautiful. It is no wonder Savannah is a favorite spot for filming movies--Forrest Gump, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Cape Fear just to name a few.   Come on, let’s explore. There is intricate wrought iron all over town. Just one of the squares. This is the one directly across from Mercer House. It is called Monterey Square, but the monument features General Pu...

Yesterday was a day filled with tornado sirens, bad weather, and potential severe weather threats.  The possibility that the power may go off made me think about hurricane lamps. I love a hurricane glass shade with a classic brass candlestick. So very Williamsburg, don’t you think? While I was waiting for the storms to pass, I did a little digging around on the Internet. The old tradition of placing a glass over a burning flame has a new modern twist. I wanted to share some with you today. Classic. Simple brass candlesticks housed inside a glass hurricane shade. Hurricane lamps do not have to be stuffy or traditional.  This pair has strong, clean lines that echo a fresh modern feel. mydesignsecrets.com Another variation with strong contemporary feel. Globalviews.com Hurricane lamps are beautifully incorporated into a floral arrangement for the bride and groom tab...